Russian troops ambushed as 40-mile convoy heads towards Kyiv

Russian troops have been ambushed in a city near Kyiv after a 40-mile convoy was spotted heading towards the Ukrainian capital.

Satellite images on Tuesday morning showed an excessive number of tanks and other military vehicles occupying a huge stretch of road north of the Kyiv.

Russian troops have hit a stumbling block in their attempts to capture the capital, with Ukrainian soldiers and civilians not giving up as they fight back.

Images from Bucha, a city 15 miles north-west of Kyiv, showed the bleak aftermath of a firefight between Russian and Ukrainian troops as bodies and vehicles laid charred in the middle of the streets.

Speaking after the attack, Mayor of Bucha, Anatolii Fedoruk hailed the Ukrainian troops resilience.

He said: “The armed forces of Ukraine stopped the enemy’s column. These are the results of their invasion and the work of our armed forces.

“Unfortunately, the private sector [houses] also received damage, but we will rebuild. Wishing health to our armed forces who have worked very well. Everything will be Ukraine.”

It comes as guards intercepted a group of saboteurs plotting a suspected attack on one of Ukraine's best known religious sites, the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, a spokesman said on Monday.

The new church's leader, Ukrainian Metropolitan Epifaniy, was thought to be "among the targets of Russian terror", spokesman Yevstratiy Zoria in a statement.

The statement went on to say that the “saboteurs” had been “neutralised”.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy was given a rousing reception by MEPs after making a speech in the European Parliament.

During the speech, Zelenskyy said: “I don’t read from paper, the paper phase is over, we’re dealing with lives. Without you Ukraine will be alone. We’ve proven our strength; we’re the same as you. Prove that you’ll not let us go. Then life will win over death.”